LOBBYISTS
As outlined in Sacramento City Code section 2.15 (Lobbyist Registration and Reporting), you may be required to register your lobbying activities with the City of Sacramento. The purpose of the Lobbyist Registration and Reporting Code is two-fold: 1) To ensure the public has full knowledge of who is attempting to influence the decisions that affect City policy; and 2) To ensure that elected City officials are informed of what interests each lobbyist represents.
If you are a lobbyist planning to do business with the City of Sacramento, the first step is to determine if you qualify under City Code, and whether you are required to register with the City Clerk's Office. This information is intended as a practical guide only. If you have questions about the law and how it applies to you, please refer to the complete text contained in City Code section 2.15.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED TO REGISTER AS A LOBBYIST?
If the only lobbying you do is included as an exemption under City Code section 2.15.050 then you have no filing requirement. If you are not exempt, continue reading the following information to determine your filing responsibilities. There are three types of lobbyists: contract, business or organization, and expenditure lobbyists. See the City Code section 2.15 for definitions of lobbying and further description of lobbyist types.
I MEET THE CRITERIA AND HAVE A REQUIREMENT TO FILE, NOW WHAT?
All new lobbyists must first complete the New Lobbyist Request Form in order to receive credentials to electronically file their initial Lobbyist Registration Report by 5:00 p.m. on the date due. Upon completion of this initial report, the City of Sacramento will invoice new Lobbyist for the required payment (please following the instructions on the invoice to submit payment).
All lobbyists, after their initial registration report, will need to file a quarterly report by April 15, July 15, October 15, and January 15, of each year for the prior calendar quarter.
All lobbyists must track certain campaign contributions and consultant payments to the City and must report the following:
- Campaign Contributions made by a lobbyist or a client at the lobbyist's behest to:
- any City official or City official-elect;
- a controlled committee; OR
- an office holder's fund or legal expense fund given personally or through an intermediary, totaling $100 or more, made during the calendar quarter.
- Consultant Payments received by a lobbyist for services as a consultant or in any other capacity for services rendered to a City agency, any City official, or any City official-elect, or their controlled committees, any officeholder committee, or any ballot measure committee.
WHEN IS MY INITIAL REPORT DUE?
The initial report is due by:
- Contract Lobbyists must register within 15 days after meeting the $3,200 threshold in any consecutive three-month period.
- Business or Organization Lobbyists must register within 15 days after meeting the 100 hour threshold in any consecutive three-month period.
- Expenditure Lobbyists must register within 15 days after meeting the $5,000 threshold in any calendar year.
WHEN IS PAYMENT DUE?
The annual $100 registration fee is due at the time of initial registration (for first time filers), and annually with the fourth quarter filing due on January 15th, both upon receipt of the applicable invoice. The initial fee is $50 if registering for the first time on or after June 30th.
- Contract Lobbyists - Must pay an annual registration fee of $100, and a one time $25 fee for each client for whom lobbying was undertaken for compensation in excess of $500. The fee for subsequent clients is due with the quarterly report on which the new client was reported.
- Business or Organization Lobbyists - Must pay an annual registration fee of $100.
- Expenditure Lobbyists - Must pay an annual registration fee of $100.
WHAT IF I AM LATE FILING?
If fees are due at the time of filing AND the report is filed after the filing deadline, the filer may be subject to late penalties of $25 per day up to a maximum of $500.
How do i terminate my status as an active lobbyist?
Electronically file an amendment to your most recent registration report as a termination, and email clerk@cityofsacramento.org with your termination date.
FILING AND VIEWING STATEMENTS
To provide greater access to the public, and to create an easier way for filers to complete statements, and in compliance with Sacramento City Code section 2.15.140, the Office of the City Clerk provides no cost access to our electronic filing system. This system provides the public with access to all Lobbyist reports.
Completed, filed statements can be viewed using the Public Portal.
To submit a statement with the City, access the Filer System.
NEED ASSISTANCE OR HAVE QUESTIONS?
We are happy to assist you. Please contact us via email at: clerk@cityofsacramento.org, or by phone at (916) 808-7200.